air canadas best new restaurants 2025

Three Toronto restaurants were just named among the best in Canada

Air Canada's Best New Restaurants 2025 top 10 winners have officially been announced, and a trio of Toronto spots were honoured this year.

A list of 50 finalists was announced in September, and a final top 10 were then chosen and announced during a grand ceremony held in Toronto on Nov. 17.

Each year, nominees are selected by a national panel of industry leaders, while an anonymous culinary expert visits each restaurant, disguised as a dine-in guest, and scores the experience using a meticulous framework and set of criteria.

Restaurants are honoured in Air Canada's "Best of" categories, which include "Best Dish of the Year," "Best Dessert of the Year," and "Best Cocktail of the Year," among others. 

Toronto also made an exceptional mark on the national dining scene this year, with three restaurants earning spots in the top 10. Yan Dining Room, Maven, and Akin all secured a ranking on this coveted list.

Here are Air Canada's Best New Restaurants for 2025.

1. Mystic, Halifax, NS
2. Le Violon, Montreal, QC
3. Akin, Toronto, ON
4. Sushi Hyun Omakase, Vancouver, BC 
5. Maven, Toronto, ON
6. Nero Tondo, Vancouver, BC
7. Yan Dining Room, Toronto, ON
8. Sumibiyaki Arashi, Vancouver, BC
9. Pasta Pooks, Montreal, QC
1o. Niwa, Vancouver, BC

Lead photo by

Fareen Karim at Akin


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Latest in Eat & Drink

Beloved Toronto pizzeria shares heartfelt note announcing closure after 20 years

Canada-wide recall on brand of sour candy due to pieces of metal

Toronto shawarma restaurant that's a hit with celebs opening first downtown location

Canadians are low-key jealous of the Tim Hortons menu items other countries get

Dunkin' Donuts is returning to Canada after almost 10 years

Toronto Italian restaurant quietly closes and people aren't happy

Huge charcuterie board chain opening first Canadian location in Ontario this month

Beloved Toronto deli just got a second lease on life weeks after closing